Deftech or Emotiva?

I owned DefTech for 18 years - the BP10s, Center, Surrounds.

I just upgraded to Emotiva about 3 weeks ago. I have not watched any movies yet (still working on my theater improvements) but have listened to a lot of 2 channel music lately through them... and I am VERY impressed.

Coming from DefTech however, they are different. My bp10's were bipolar (I'm not familiar with the BP10b you mention, but I assume it's a newer version of what I have). DT has a big, open sound. For two channel music they are very good (to me they were). However, I didnt like DT with movies for effects that would go from the center channel to the the outer speakers. The open sound didn't translate well... people speaking in a L or R channel sounded different... like they were floating above the speaker or around the corner in the hallway.

The Emos are very crisp... very accurate sounding. I hear things in the music I hadn't heard from the DTs. Imaging is much better with the Emos. I can focus and hear 1 speaker or the other - or both. It's very hard to put into words - but they sound extremely good. In addition to the speakers - I but new amps from them too (XPA-5 (350x5 (into 4 ohms like Emos)) and UPA-2 (185x2 into 4ohm)) and have been thrilled with them.

The other positive for Emotiva is the company and the other users. They have a very active forum and their customer service has been top notch. They have a 30 day money back return policy.

Bottom line - as a DT owner for years (and I'm keeping my DTs... going into another my wife's exercise room - so I'm not an unhappy owner), I think my switch to Emotiva was the right one for my theater. That said - I haven't watched a movie on it yet - but for 2 channel music I've been more than happy - and I believe if they sound good for music they will sound good for movies.

Hope it helps. :T

I didn't check out PSB. I did in the past as was impressed with them - but decided to stay with my DTs (this was probably 4-5 years ago).

For this project though, I did spend a fair amount of time with Paradigm (Studios) and really liked their sound too. Emotiva was less expensive so I took a chance on them (30 day money back guarantee) and figured if I didn't like them I'd go back and get the Paradigms.

One reason I went with Emotivas over the other brands was because I could order them on the web with the guarantee. I know in the past having local dealers was a plus - you could go listen to them. However - it's in their room with their equipment... and it's hard to really listen for long periods. I liked the concept of trying them in my house. The local dealers I met with would all give me store credit if I didn't like the speakers... but that meant I was locked in to the brands they carried. I felt there was more risk going with the store than the web vendor. Worst case with Emotiva, I'd pay for shipping...

I'm very happy with the Emos and was happy to tried them.

Emotiva has their ERM-1s on sale for $149 and free delivery. They have two 5.25" woofers and a silk-dome tweeter. The cabinets are heavy and nicely rigid. They include two pairs of 5-way binding posts for bi-amp/wire and tweeter and room boundary adjustment switches to contour the sound.

I purchased a pair which was delivered last week. I initially had them connected to a Yamaha RX-V2095 which was convenient. I did a short demo before I decided I didn't like the sound. I later connected then to a Denon AVR-3300 (in Direct 2-ch mode) and was very surprised to hear a huge difference. They're very dynamic and image like crazy. I tested the imaging by asking my wife which center channel she thought I was using (I currently have two systems setup in my theater room). She guessed one and was surprised to hear neither were connected. The center image was solid and clear.

For $298/pr I don't think you can go wrong. I was never that impressed with the Def Techs. The introduction of a rear-firing tweeter on some models I've heard sound less focused and blur the surround effects. I have only seen the specs and reviews of the 6.3 and 8.3 speakers, but they share the tweeter and manufacturing qualities of the ERM-1. They are well worth a serious listen.